Surface Headphones Microphone not working

Question

I have a ,pair of surface headphones that connect to my fully updated windows 10 Pro Lenovo P50. The audio works just fine, connecting and disconnecting as you would expect.

However the, microphone does not function. The headphone shows up in audio device settings as Surface Headphone handsfree but as disconnected (dropdown menu greyed out).

I have gone through the troubleshooters ,both bluetooth and audio device, the results are the same .

I then unpaired and then re-paired the headphones and no difference there.

The mute button on the headphones does not function either.

Altogether for £350 this is very disappointing, not to mention the abysmal battery life.

Can we expect some working drivers soon ?

Answer 1

Hi Dom,

Thank you for posting us here in Microsoft Community! We will need the following information for us isolate your concern.

When was the last time are you able to use the microphone on your Surface Headphone?

Were there any changes made before you get to this issue?

Is this happen to all application? If not, what specific application having this issue?

For the meantime, you try the following steps that may help fix your concern.

• Try to check the app settings if there's an audio input settings that can be configured to use Surface Headphone.
• Try to close the application that’s being used as the audio source on the host device, and then open it again.
• Restart the host device.

On Windows, selectWindows, selectPower, then select Restart*(not Shut down).*

On Android, hold down the power button until you see options to turn off your device, and then selectRestart.

On Apple iOS, hold down the power button until you see the slider to turn off your device, and then move the slider to turn off. After the device turns off, press the power button to turn it back on.

• Check to see if there’s a firmware update available via the app.

Cortana Device Setup app (Windows – US only)

Cortana App (iOS/Android – US only)

Surface Headphones app (UK)

For more information, see Update Surface Headphones 

• Reset the headphones back to factory settings.

First, press and hold the power button for about15 seconds, until you hear that your headphones have been reset to the factory defaults. You will then hear “You’re ready to pair,” and the headphones will be in pairing mode. then pair the headphones to the host device by using the app.

For more information, see Reset Surface Headphones.

Keep us posted so we can assist you further,

Answer 2

I am experiencing the same, with Skype and Teams. I tried the workaround you suggested with no success.

Answer 3

I have gone through the methods suggested and no change on my P50, handsfree and micro phone are greyed out as an option.

However .. !!! I have just received my Surface Studio 2 (surface headphones were a bonus free gift for its purchase). Ironically, I am not not laughing ! the surface headphones only show up as handsfree and microphone works fine on the SS2, but SH do not show up as audio out the are greyed out in sound setting and audio quality is very low in handsfree mode.

This is infuriatingly incompetent, if M$oft cannot make their own equiptment work seamlessly how the hell do they expect it to work on 3rd party systems ???

Answer 4

I actually solved it. Not sure why the mike was among the Disabled devices - for sure I did not disable it.

To solve:

• Type "Choose your input device" and click
• Under "Input" click on "Manage sound devices"
• Go to "Disabled", click on the device and enable it

Answer 5

Hi Dom,

We really do apologize for the inconvenience. May we know if the Cortana on your Lenovo P50 is being set up? If not, you may follow this **article**on how to set up Cortana. 

If the Cortana has been set up with your device and still no option for the Hands free and Microphone, we suggest that you contact our Windows Support on this link for further assistance. If you're outside the US, you can get in touch with our Global Support. You'll find the phone number for your country/region here.

Best regards,